Did you know that 70s craft trends are on their way back? The 1970s were a bold, creative decade where crafting wasn’t just a hobby; it was a lifestyle. From funky fashion to recycled materials and earthy textures, DIY culture thrived in homes, community groups, and classrooms. Today, many of these vintage crafts are making a huge comeback, especially with the rise of handmade, sustainable, and nostalgic decor.
Top 70s Craft Trends
The resurgence of 70s craft trends s isn’t just about nostalgia. These trends align perfectly with modern values:
- Sustainability (reusing materials like cans and fabric)
- Slow crafting and mindfulness
- Handmade, one-of-a-kind decor
Platforms like Pinterest and TikTok have helped bring these vintage crafts back into the spotlight, inspiring a new generation of DIY enthusiasts. Of course, there are old classics that never went away, like tie-dying and jewellery making, but let’s stick to those making a comeback!
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1. Beaded Dolls (A True 70s Classic)
Beaded dolls were everywhere in the 1970s. These small decorative figures were made using safety pins, shaped beads, seed beads, and wire to create intricate little characters.
They were often used as:
- Keychains
- Christmas ornaments
- knick knacks
Crafters loved experimenting with different bead colours to create dresses, hats, and even tiny accessories. Today, they’re making a comeback in the cottagecore and vintage aesthetic communities.
2. Beer Can Hats
One of the most iconic (and quirky) 70s crafts was the beer can hat or purse. It was a wearable piece of recycled art made from aluminum cans. These hats were especially popular at parties and festivals. They were made by cutting the sides off beer cans, punching holes in them, and knitting them together with a hat pattern or another fashion-related pattern.
- Belts
- Purses
- Hats in many styles
This trend was ahead of its time in terms of recycling and sustainability, something that resonates strongly with today’s eco-conscious crafters.
3. Macramé Everything
Macramé dominated 70s home decor. Using simple knotting techniques, crafters made beautiful and functional pieces like:
- Plant hangers
- Wall hangings
- Hanging Tables
- Beaded door Curtains
The natural cotton cord and earthy tones fit perfectly with the bohemian style that defined the decade. Macramé is one of the biggest 70s craft revivals happening right now.
Buy a Kit and give it a try!
4. Latch Hooking
Latch hook kits became incredibly popular, allowing beginners to create textured rugs using pre-cut yarn.
Designs ranged from:
- Geometric patterns
- Animals
- Shag-style hanging wall decor
They were fun, relaxing, and a great introduction to fibre arts.
Get a Latch Hook kit and Get Started
5. Decoupage
Decoupage involved decorating objects by gluing paper cutouts and sealing them with varnish.
Crafters used it on:
- Furniture
- Boxes
- Glassware
Floral prints and vintage imagery were especially popular.
To do authentic decoupage from the 70s, start with cut-out images from a magazine, wrapping paper, new paper prints or even images you have created and printed on brochure paper. Mix equal parts of white glue with water. Apply it to the back of the cutouts by brushing it on. Apply it to the surface of your object and smooth it out with your fingers to remove bubbles and folds. Allow your piece to fully dry. Apply multiple coats of varnish over top, allowing each to dry. Lightly sand in between coats using craft paper.
1970s decopage had a very high gloss amber look when completed.
Note** in the 70s, oil-based varnish or shellac was used. I prefer a water-based product for easy clean up and no fumes.
6. Wax Dripped Bottles
This craft was beautifully simple. An empty glass bottle, usually a wine bottle, was used as a candle holder. A taper candle was placed in the neck, lit, and then allowed to burn long enough for the wax to melt and drip down the sides.
Over time, layer upon layer of wax built up, creating a thick, colourful, textured coating that turned the bottle into a piece of art.
To try this at home, never leave candles unattended. Make sure you choose candles that are not dripless. Be sure to place something under the bottle to catch excess drips and prevent damage to your furniture.
7. Loom Pot Holders
If you grew up around handmade crafts, chances are you’ve seen (or made!) loom, pot holders. These were created using small square looms and colourful elastic loops.
They were:
- Easy for beginners and kids
- Affordable and widely available
- Super practical for everyday use
Crafters would weave loops over pegs in bright patterns, creating thick, durable pot holders perfect for the kitchen. The repetitive weaving process also made this craft relaxing and almost meditative. That is something modern crafters are rediscovering today.
Give an inexpensive Pot Holder Loom a try!
8. Beaded Pin Jewellery
These were so easy to make, it was crazy. Everyone had them, and you could change the colours frequently. All you needed was a safety pin, small beads, a charm or two and hot glue. There weren’t any dollar stores then, but now you could make multiples for a couple of bucks. If you covered over the latch end of the pin, it didn’t even look like a safety pin!
It may sound crazy, but I even saw them used as earrings!
All you need to get started is a safety pin and some properly sized beads. Once you have it down, experiment with decorative pins in different sizes with charms and accents.
9. Embroidery & Crewel Work
Hand embroidery saw a big resurgence during the 70s, especially crewel embroidery using thick yarns.
Common motifs:
- Flowers
- Owls
- Mushrooms
- Peace signs
These designs were often stitched onto:
- Wall art
- Denim jackets
- Pillows
Check out this easy beginner Embroidery Kit
10. String Art
String art combined nails and thread to create geometric or pictorial designs on wooden boards.
Popular themes included:
- Animals
- Boats
- Names
- Abstract patterns
It was a perfect blend of crafting and graphic design, very on-trend even today.
Check out this easy beginner kit here.
11. Pressed Flower Art
Nature-inspired crafts were huge, and pressing flowers was a favourite.
Crafters used dried flowers to decorate:
- Bookmarks
- Frames
- Greeting cards
This delicate craft added a soft, vintage touch to the handmade item
To get started without buying a kit, place flowers between 2 pieces of wax paper and lay a stack of books on them. Not all flowers work, but pansies are an excellent beginner flower to work with. Check the flowers on the 2nd day to make sure there is no mould starting.
Get a complete flower pressing kit
12. Knit/Crochet
Crochet wasn’t just for blankets, although knitted pillows and granny square afghans were on almost every home. It was fashionable in the 70s. People made:
- Vests
- Halter tops
- Ponchos
- Granny square afghans and pillows
Bright colours and bold patterns made these pieces stand out
Get a full beginner Granny Square kit, with everything you need to get started.
13. Raffia & Woven Crafts
Natural fibres like raffia were widely used to create:
- Baskets
- Placemats
- Wall hangings
These crafts fit perfectly with the earthy, organic aesthetic of 70s homes.
Get a complete basket weaving kit and get started making your first weaving project.
14. Paper Tole (3D Decoupage)
Paper tole, also known as 3D decoupage, involves layering cut-out prints to create a raised, dimensional image.
Its origins date back to the 18th–19th centuries in Europe. It became widely popular again in the 1970s and 1980s. In the 1970s, when it began to gain popularity, some popular themes included:
- Victorian scenes
- Flowers
- Birds
- Still life images
Finished pieces were often framed and displayed as textured artwork.
To get started, you will need paper tole supplies, but once you have them, you can make multiples for home decor or selling.
The crafting trends of the 1970s were bold, resourceful, and full of personality. Whether it’s beaded dolls, beer can hats, or macramé plant hangers, these retro projects offer endless inspiration for today’s makers.
If you’re looking to stand out with your crafts or tap into the growing demand for vintage-style DIY, bringing back these 70s trends is a perfect place to start.
This website contains affiliate links. As an Amazon affiliate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases (at no cost to you).